Brookings Series - Implementing ARRAhttp://www.brookings.edu/about/programs/metro/implementing-arra?rssid=implementing+ARRABrookings Series - Implementing ARRAenSun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400http://www.brookings.edu/series.aspx?feed=implementing+ARRAFri, 29 Jul 2016 10:01:16 -0400 http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/08/0723-arra-bay-area?rssid=implementing+ARRA{93798BE9-D2B6-4845-9C15-166D02905BF8}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487252/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Bay-Area%e2%80%99s-Economic-Recovery-Workplan-Guiding-State-Stimulus-SpendingBay Area’s Economic Recovery Workplan: Guiding State Stimulus Spending

Requested by the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to develop a nine-county Economic Recovery Workplan, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute accepted submissions of nearly 500 project ideas and selected among them to craft one coherent strategy that aligns state and regional priorities and aims to spark short-term job creation as well as long-term economic growth. The plan is intended to inform how the state deploys its stimulus allocations, applies for competitive ARRA awards, streamlines the flow of stimulus dollars down to communities, and implements longer term economic development strategies.

The Bay Area Economic Recovery Workplan represents a productive state-region partnership that focuses on regions as California’s economic engines and drivers of recovery and sustained growth. The state’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H) initiated the process by inviting (not mandating) all 12 California regions to submit regional plans to help the state identify the best prospects for expending ARRA resources efficiently and effectively. The Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI) took full advantage of the opportunity to maximize stimulus investments in its region. By developing a plan guided by regional priorities and objectives, BACEI puts the Bay Area in good position to receive bonus points for certain state housing funds and bond applications. Additionally, their work will help the region qualify for state assistance for federal and state grants, targeted outreach on new business tax incentives, and new economic recovery and infrastructure financing tools.

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]]> Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Requested by the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to develop a nine-county Economic Recovery Workplan, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute accepted submissions of nearly 500 project ideas and selected among them to craft one coherent strategy that aligns state and regional priorities and aims to spark short-term job creation as well as long-term economic growth. The plan is intended to inform how the state deploys its stimulus allocations, applies for competitive ARRA awards, streamlines the flow of stimulus dollars down to communities, and implements longer term economic development strategies.

The Bay Area Economic Recovery Workplan represents a productive state-region partnership that focuses on regions as California’s economic engines and drivers of recovery and sustained growth. The state’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H) initiated the process by inviting (not mandating) all 12 California regions to submit regional plans to help the state identify the best prospects for expending ARRA resources efficiently and effectively. The Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI) took full advantage of the opportunity to maximize stimulus investments in its region. By developing a plan guided by regional priorities and objectives, BACEI puts the Bay Area in good position to receive bonus points for certain state housing funds and bond applications. Additionally, their work will help the region qualify for state assistance for federal and state grants, targeted outreach on new business tax incentives, and new economic recovery and infrastructure financing tools.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/08/26-arra-california?rssid=implementing+ARRA{4CDFDEEE-50C6-4340-B622-D54010259CE1}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487253/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Bay-Area%e2%80%99s-High-Speed-Rail-Plans-Advancing-st-Century-Regional-TransportationBay Area’s High Speed Rail Plans: Advancing 21st Century Regional Transportation

A collaboration of Bay Area political leaders and transportation officials have a developed a $1.9 billion proposal for ARRA’s high speed rail funding to help accelerate the arrival of new, fast, 21st century train service from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The plans focuses on the upgrades and technologies along the greater Bay area corridor that would not only pave the way for eventual high speed rail service but also enhance the safety, capacity, and performance of existing regional commuter train operations.

California’s ARRA proposal for regional high speed rail comes after more than a decade of planning and discussion around a grand vision to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles with new, fast train service. With the availability of federal stimulus dollars, regional transportation leaders gained momentum in coming to consensus on some concrete decisions about initial investments to advance high-speed rail in the Greater Bay Area. They put forth a $3.4 billion plan for a series of projects between San Francisco and San Jose to electrify the rail lines of the regional commuter service, Caltrain, upgrade key stations, modernize train-control equipment, and better separate train and vehicular traffic. To cover project costs, a $1.9 billion ARRA application would leverage additional local resources, including a $9 billion bond measure approved by Bay Area voters for high speed rail.

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]]> Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

A collaboration of Bay Area political leaders and transportation officials have a developed a $1.9 billion proposal for ARRA’s high speed rail funding to help accelerate the arrival of new, fast, 21st century train service from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The plans focuses on the upgrades and technologies along the greater Bay area corridor that would not only pave the way for eventual high speed rail service but also enhance the safety, capacity, and performance of existing regional commuter train operations.

California’s ARRA proposal for regional high speed rail comes after more than a decade of planning and discussion around a grand vision to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles with new, fast train service. With the availability of federal stimulus dollars, regional transportation leaders gained momentum in coming to consensus on some concrete decisions about initial investments to advance high-speed rail in the Greater Bay Area. They put forth a $3.4 billion plan for a series of projects between San Francisco and San Jose to electrify the rail lines of the regional commuter service, Caltrain, upgrade key stations, modernize train-control equipment, and better separate train and vehicular traffic. To cover project costs, a $1.9 billion ARRA application would leverage additional local resources, including a $9 billion bond measure approved by Bay Area voters for high speed rail.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/08/26-arra-california-green-jobs?rssid=implementing+ARRA{848033E5-D71C-4A99-AE92-0DC86835D161}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487255/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~California%e2%80%99s-Green-Jobs-Corps-Building-Green-Workforce-RegionwideCalifornia’s Green Jobs Corps: Building Green Workforce Region-wide

Using a portion of the 15 percent discretionary Workforce Investment Act funds available to states through ARRA, California is piloting a regionally-based, public-private partnership-driven, green jobs training program for at-risk youth. The California Green Jobs Corps invests $10 million of ARRA funds to leverage another $10 million in local resources to bring together collaborations of workforce investment boards, community colleges, nonprofits, and employers to provide targeted youth with opportunities for skills training, continuing education, and community service to contribute to emerging regional green economies.

The framework for the Green Jobs Corps program draws on a long-standing state economic strategy that identifies nine economic regions in California and seeks to address the unique strengths and weaknesses of each. Earlier this year, the state asked key leaders from each region to submit regional recovery plans to guide overall ARRA implementation at the state-level (described in: “Guiding State Stimulus Spending,” another “design snapshot” in this Brookings series). For the Green Jobs Corps program, in particular, the state invited multi-sector partnerships from each region to competitively apply for a portion of ARRA’s 15 percent governor’s discretionary Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to implement regionally-tailored efforts to spur green-friendly economic growth, revive communities, and help create a cleaner environment. Based on regional conditions, the program aims to train at-risk youth in energy efficiency, green construction, and other green jobs, as they continue their education and volunteer in environmental efforts, such as computer recycling for nonprofits and weatherization assistance for seniors.

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]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Using a portion of the 15 percent discretionary Workforce Investment Act funds available to states through ARRA, California is piloting a regionally-based, public-private partnership-driven, green jobs training program for at-risk youth. The California Green Jobs Corps invests $10 million of ARRA funds to leverage another $10 million in local resources to bring together collaborations of workforce investment boards, community colleges, nonprofits, and employers to provide targeted youth with opportunities for skills training, continuing education, and community service to contribute to emerging regional green economies.

The framework for the Green Jobs Corps program draws on a long-standing state economic strategy that identifies nine economic regions in California and seeks to address the unique strengths and weaknesses of each. Earlier this year, the state asked key leaders from each region to submit regional recovery plans to guide overall ARRA implementation at the state-level (described in: “Guiding State Stimulus Spending,” another “design snapshot” in this Brookings series). For the Green Jobs Corps program, in particular, the state invited multi-sector partnerships from each region to competitively apply for a portion of ARRA’s 15 percent governor’s discretionary Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to implement regionally-tailored efforts to spur green-friendly economic growth, revive communities, and help create a cleaner environment. Based on regional conditions, the program aims to train at-risk youth in energy efficiency, green construction, and other green jobs, as they continue their education and volunteer in environmental efforts, such as computer recycling for nonprofits and weatherization assistance for seniors.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/0826-arra-massachusetts?rssid=implementing+ARRA{67E6E14D-89BD-49DE-B1A5-EA1E39528C53}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487257/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Cape-Cod-and-Southeastern-Massachusetts-Modernize-with-New-Broadband-Infrastructure-Advancing-Regional-ConnectivityCape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts Modernize with New Broadband Infrastructure: Advancing Regional Connectivity

To modernize and expand the inadequate communications infrastructure in Southeastern Massachusetts, the region’s leaders are pursuing $40 million in ARRA funding for a regional broadband network that would boost business growth, enhance education and scientific research, improve public safety services, and reliably provide for emergency communications in times of crisis. The OpenCape concept relies on a public-private partnership to build out the region’s fiber optic backbone, sustain the network financially into the future, and create a shared, multi-purpose regional data center.

During spring 2006, well before the passage of ARRA, leaders of several nonprofits convened roughly 100 stakeholders from across their region at Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) to discuss the need and opportunity to bring broadband service to Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Out of this gathering of government, business, educational, and nonprofit representatives, ultimately emerged OpenCape Corporation, a new 501(c)(3) entity that is now leading the region’s $40 million grant application for ARRA’s competitive Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. With a governing board representative of Cape Cod both geographically (in terms of jurisdictions) and functionally (in terms of institutions), OpenCape has, for the last two years, been developing the analysis, plans, and partnerships necessary for a comprehensive broadband system for the entire region.

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]]> Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

To modernize and expand the inadequate communications infrastructure in Southeastern Massachusetts, the region’s leaders are pursuing $40 million in ARRA funding for a regional broadband network that would boost business growth, enhance education and scientific research, improve public safety services, and reliably provide for emergency communications in times of crisis. The OpenCape concept relies on a public-private partnership to build out the region’s fiber optic backbone, sustain the network financially into the future, and create a shared, multi-purpose regional data center.

During spring 2006, well before the passage of ARRA, leaders of several nonprofits convened roughly 100 stakeholders from across their region at Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) to discuss the need and opportunity to bring broadband service to Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Out of this gathering of government, business, educational, and nonprofit representatives, ultimately emerged OpenCape Corporation, a new 501(c)(3) entity that is now leading the region’s $40 million grant application for ARRA’s competitive Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. With a governing board representative of Cape Cod both geographically (in terms of jurisdictions) and functionally (in terms of institutions), OpenCape has, for the last two years, been developing the analysis, plans, and partnerships necessary for a comprehensive broadband system for the entire region.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-chicago-energy?rssid=implementing+ARRA{58203E29-A06B-402B-9F0A-A59DC848D4EA}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487259/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~A-ChicagoArea-Retrofit-Strategy-Coordinating-Energy-Efficiency-RegionWideA Chicago-Area Retrofit Strategy: Coordinating Energy Efficiency Region-Wide

The Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Chicago-area nonprofit promoting urban sustainability, has a long-run vision of a Chicagoland building energy-efficiency system, which, if started up quickly, would help to effectively deploy relevant stimulus dollars in the near-term. Its activities focus on ramping up existing weatherization and retrofit programs in the short-term to take best advantage of current stimulus dollars while at the same time building the institutional capacity to launch and sustain a new regional initiative aimed at coordinating energy efficiency information, financing, and service delivery for the seven-county region over the long-term.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is using ARRA and other resources to work toward a long-run vision of a sustainable regional energy efficiency system. CNT envisions a centrally-coordinated initiative— either through a new stand-alone entity or a formalized network—to manage the financing, marketing, performance monitoring and certification, information provision, supply chain development, and customer assistance required to efficiently scale up the delivery of retrofit services for all types of buildings across the Chicago region.

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]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

The Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Chicago-area nonprofit promoting urban sustainability, has a long-run vision of a Chicagoland building energy-efficiency system, which, if started up quickly, would help to effectively deploy relevant stimulus dollars in the near-term. Its activities focus on ramping up existing weatherization and retrofit programs in the short-term to take best advantage of current stimulus dollars while at the same time building the institutional capacity to launch and sustain a new regional initiative aimed at coordinating energy efficiency information, financing, and service delivery for the seven-county region over the long-term.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is using ARRA and other resources to work toward a long-run vision of a sustainable regional energy efficiency system. CNT envisions a centrally-coordinated initiative— either through a new stand-alone entity or a formalized network—to manage the financing, marketing, performance monitoring and certification, information provision, supply chain development, and customer assistance required to efficiently scale up the delivery of retrofit services for all types of buildings across the Chicago region.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-chicago-retrofit?rssid=implementing+ARRA{2C9CFD1E-656C-45A2-88B5-489706DB4D1B}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487260/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Chicago%e2%80%99s-MultiFamily-Energy-Retrofit-Program-Expanding-Retrofits-With-Private-FinancingChicago’s Multi-Family Energy Retrofit Program: Expanding Retrofits With Private Financing

The city of Chicago is increasing retrofits by using stimulus dollars to expand the opportunity for energy efficient living to low-income residents of large multi-family rental buildings. To aid this target demographic, often left underserved by existing programs, the city’s new Multi-Family Energy Retrofit Program introduces an innovative model for retrofit delivery that relies on private sector financing and energy service companies.

Chicago’s new Multi-Family Energy Retrofit Program draws on multi-sector collaboration, with an emphasis on private sector involvement supported by public and nonprofit resources. Essentially, the program applies the model of private energy service companies (ESCOs), long-used in the public sector, to the affordable, multi-family housing market. In this framework, ESCOs conduct assessments of building energy performance, identify and oversee implementation of cost-effective retrofit measures, and guarantee energy savings to use as a source of loan repayment.

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]]> Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

The city of Chicago is increasing retrofits by using stimulus dollars to expand the opportunity for energy efficient living to low-income residents of large multi-family rental buildings. To aid this target demographic, often left underserved by existing programs, the city’s new Multi-Family Energy Retrofit Program introduces an innovative model for retrofit delivery that relies on private sector financing and energy service companies.

Chicago’s new Multi-Family Energy Retrofit Program draws on multi-sector collaboration, with an emphasis on private sector involvement supported by public and nonprofit resources. Essentially, the program applies the model of private energy service companies (ESCOs), long-used in the public sector, to the affordable, multi-family housing market. In this framework, ESCOs conduct assessments of building energy performance, identify and oversee implementation of cost-effective retrofit measures, and guarantee energy savings to use as a source of loan repayment.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-chicago-suburbs?rssid=implementing+ARRA{381EF0AA-E59F-43B0-BED7-23157EF5BBB0}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487261/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Chicago%e2%80%99s-Southern-Suburbs-Focus-on-ARRA-Coordinating-InterSuburban-RecoveryChicago’s Southern Suburbs Focus on ARRA: Coordinating Inter-Suburban Recovery

To leverage limited ARRA resources, Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council is working with local leaders and key partners to build on efforts already underway to promote inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the city’s south suburbs around the first round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP1). By layering new stimulus dollars for energy efficiency, workforce development, transit improvements and neighborhood stabilization into the same focused areas for investment identified by the south suburbs’ joint NSP1 application, these partners intend to enhance the benefits generated by any single program.

The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and key partners, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) and the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), support inter-jurisdictional cooperation over competition in generating effective ARRA implementation and have brought together a group of south Cook County suburbs to advance joint recovery initiatives. Many of these southern Chicago suburbs have been hit hard by the recession, particularly by foreclosures. As MPC notes, while the Chicago metro area as a whole in 2008 suffered 25.4 foreclosure filings per 1,000 mortgageable properties, the rate was 80 percent higher for just the south suburbs at 45.8 filings per 1,000 properties.

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]]> Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

To leverage limited ARRA resources, Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council is working with local leaders and key partners to build on efforts already underway to promote inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the city’s south suburbs around the first round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP1). By layering new stimulus dollars for energy efficiency, workforce development, transit improvements and neighborhood stabilization into the same focused areas for investment identified by the south suburbs’ joint NSP1 application, these partners intend to enhance the benefits generated by any single program.

The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and key partners, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) and the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), support inter-jurisdictional cooperation over competition in generating effective ARRA implementation and have brought together a group of south Cook County suburbs to advance joint recovery initiatives. Many of these southern Chicago suburbs have been hit hard by the recession, particularly by foreclosures. As MPC notes, while the Chicago metro area as a whole in 2008 suffered 25.4 foreclosure filings per 1,000 mortgageable properties, the rate was 80 percent higher for just the south suburbs at 45.8 filings per 1,000 properties.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-flagstaff?rssid=implementing+ARRA{EF64D027-AD0A-4D38-8E72-5967A7B732E9}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487264/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Greater-Flagstaff%e2%80%99s-Integrated-ARRA-Initiatives-Linking-Green-Recovery-GoalsGreater Flagstaff’s Integrated ARRA Initiatives: Linking Green Recovery Goals

Faced with greater poverty rates and generally higher costs of living than the rest of the state, many residents of Flagstaff and Coconino County, AZ are burdened with increasing utility rates but lack the fiscal resources or access to affordable financing necessary to pursue energy efficiency home improvements. To address this problem, city and county leaders came together to target ARRA funds to expand residential energy efficiency services in a way that also promotes workforce training and job placement.

Flagstaff and Coconino County are using ARRA’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) to advance multidimensional goal setting that simultaneously promotes energy efficiency, supports workforce training and job placement, and facilitates social inclusion. Both the city’s Integrated Solutions for a Sustainable Flagstaff (ISSF) and Coconino County’s Residential Energy Efficiency and Workforce Development (REEWD) involve a two-tiered home retrofit service made available to city and county residents with workers drawn from a newly established apprenticeship program in energy efficiency. Over the next two years, ISSF and REEWD aim to conduct 770 residential energy efficiency retrofits (resulting in annual savings of 6400 megawatts of energy, $250,000 in utility bills, and 6.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide) and create or retain eight to 12 jobs.

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]]> Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Faced with greater poverty rates and generally higher costs of living than the rest of the state, many residents of Flagstaff and Coconino County, AZ are burdened with increasing utility rates but lack the fiscal resources or access to affordable financing necessary to pursue energy efficiency home improvements. To address this problem, city and county leaders came together to target ARRA funds to expand residential energy efficiency services in a way that also promotes workforce training and job placement.

Flagstaff and Coconino County are using ARRA’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) to advance multidimensional goal setting that simultaneously promotes energy efficiency, supports workforce training and job placement, and facilitates social inclusion. Both the city’s Integrated Solutions for a Sustainable Flagstaff (ISSF) and Coconino County’s Residential Energy Efficiency and Workforce Development (REEWD) involve a two-tiered home retrofit service made available to city and county residents with workers drawn from a newly established apprenticeship program in energy efficiency. Over the next two years, ISSF and REEWD aim to conduct 770 residential energy efficiency retrofits (resulting in annual savings of 6400 megawatts of energy, $250,000 in utility bills, and 6.9 million pounds of carbon dioxide) and create or retain eight to 12 jobs.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-kansas-city?rssid=implementing+ARRA{A55709DA-84F5-4F0A-A0E5-7F16F150BC1D}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487266/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Kansas-City%e2%80%99s-Green-Impact-Zone-Targeting-ARRA-for-Neighborhood-UpliftKansas City’s Green Impact Zone: Targeting ARRA for Neighborhood Uplift

The Green Impact Zone is a 150-block area in Kansas City’s urban core that has been devastated over the years by high rates of poverty and violence, high levels of unemployment and crime, and high concentrations of vacant and abandoned properties. For that reason, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), from Kansas City, conceived the idea—quickly endorsed by other local and regional leaders—of connecting a range of stimulus-funded programs over the next two years to target dollars to this one area to jump-start its economic recovery and community revitalization.

The Green Impact Zone advances interconnected goal-setting to turn around every aspect of this one, central-city area of Kansas City, Missouri, to make it an attractive place to live and work. While historically underserved, the zone includes some substantial assets, including several strong neighborhood groups; community, cultural and health centers; and proximity to an important health sciences cluster and major roadways. To build on these assets and develop others, the zone is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy— motivated by stimulus funding opportunities— around enhancing the area’s sustainability, public safety, stabilization, housing conditions, access to jobs and services, and economic vitality.

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]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

The Green Impact Zone is a 150-block area in Kansas City’s urban core that has been devastated over the years by high rates of poverty and violence, high levels of unemployment and crime, and high concentrations of vacant and abandoned properties. For that reason, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), from Kansas City, conceived the idea—quickly endorsed by other local and regional leaders—of connecting a range of stimulus-funded programs over the next two years to target dollars to this one area to jump-start its economic recovery and community revitalization.

The Green Impact Zone advances interconnected goal-setting to turn around every aspect of this one, central-city area of Kansas City, Missouri, to make it an attractive place to live and work. While historically underserved, the zone includes some substantial assets, including several strong neighborhood groups; community, cultural and health centers; and proximity to an important health sciences cluster and major roadways. To build on these assets and develop others, the zone is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy— motivated by stimulus funding opportunities— around enhancing the area’s sustainability, public safety, stabilization, housing conditions, access to jobs and services, and economic vitality.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-memphis?rssid=implementing+ARRA{0215C29E-87C3-4934-84E7-4D96D8F88FA2}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487268/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Memphis-Blueprint-for-a-City-of-Choice-Advancing-Joint-CityCounty-RecoveryMemphis Blueprint for a City of Choice: Advancing Joint City-County Recovery

Memphis leaders have taken advantage of ARRA to advance an unprecedented partnership between the city of Memphis and Shelby County, TN, to realize a shared recovery vision. “Memphis: A City of Choice” is a new blueprint, augmenting and advancing earlier private-sector plans, for transforming the core city into a prosperous, inclusive, sustainable area by channeling city and county stimulus spending, as well as other resources, to focus on “game-changers” in 12 economic development priority areas.

Inter-jurisdictional leadership and vision, combined with private and philanthropic sector engagement, are central elements of the Memphis “City of Choice” initiative. Often working at cross-purposes historically, a crosssection of city and county leaders embraced the ARRA opportunity to create new momentum around coordinating economic recovery policy and program agendas with the aim of catapulting Memphis ahead of its peer cities. The effort involves public sector direction from the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County, Memphis City Council, Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Memphis Housing and Community Development Department, and the city superintendent of schools. Private sector leadership comes from the Greater Memphis Chamber, the Memphis Tomorrow association of business executives, and the heads of FedEx Global Supply Chain Services, Methodist Healthcare, and AutoZone.

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]]> Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Memphis leaders have taken advantage of ARRA to advance an unprecedented partnership between the city of Memphis and Shelby County, TN, to realize a shared recovery vision. “Memphis: A City of Choice” is a new blueprint, augmenting and advancing earlier private-sector plans, for transforming the core city into a prosperous, inclusive, sustainable area by channeling city and county stimulus spending, as well as other resources, to focus on “game-changers” in 12 economic development priority areas.

Inter-jurisdictional leadership and vision, combined with private and philanthropic sector engagement, are central elements of the Memphis “City of Choice” initiative. Often working at cross-purposes historically, a crosssection of city and county leaders embraced the ARRA opportunity to create new momentum around coordinating economic recovery policy and program agendas with the aim of catapulting Memphis ahead of its peer cities. The effort involves public sector direction from the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County, Memphis City Council, Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Memphis Housing and Community Development Department, and the city superintendent of schools. Private sector leadership comes from the Greater Memphis Chamber, the Memphis Tomorrow association of business executives, and the heads of FedEx Global Supply Chain Services, Methodist Healthcare, and AutoZone.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/1030-arra-new-york?rssid=implementing+ARRA{77B7AD11-7DEC-41CA-9B5D-A6A6B15383A0}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487269/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~New-York-State%e2%80%99s-New-Green-Jobs-Program-Linking-Financing-and-Job-Training-StatewideNew York State’s New Green Jobs Program: Linking Financing and Job Training Statewide

Recently passed legislation in New York State establishes a new statewide program to perform mass-scale building energy efficiency audits and retrofits and build up the supply of skilled workers to meet the expected increase in green job opportunities. Critically, it also authorizes state agencies to create a new framework for financing retrofits, and encourages new groupings of stakeholders—from community groups to utilities—to work together towards successful implementation. The multi-dimensional Green Job Green New York plan channels a relatively small amount of state resources, a much larger amount of private lending capital, and potential federal stimulus dollars into a new statewide revolving loan fund for retrofits and expanded opportunities for green workforce development and job placement.

Green Jobs Green New York is the first multidimensional, mass-scale, statewide building energy efficiency plan for financing and recouping costs from energy efficiency audits and installations in a range of structures. The plan involves improving aspects of the existing state-run home audit program, initiating a new statewide revolving loan fund for retrofits, and introducing new green-focused workforce development across the state. Over the next five years, Green Jobs Green New York aims to retrofit at least 1 million buildings, reduce the energy consumption of participating households by 30−40 percent, save New Yorkers $1 billion annually in energy costs, and create an expected 14,000 new clean energy jobs.

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]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Recently passed legislation in New York State establishes a new statewide program to perform mass-scale building energy efficiency audits and retrofits and build up the supply of skilled workers to meet the expected increase in green job opportunities. Critically, it also authorizes state agencies to create a new framework for financing retrofits, and encourages new groupings of stakeholders—from community groups to utilities—to work together towards successful implementation. The multi-dimensional Green Job Green New York plan channels a relatively small amount of state resources, a much larger amount of private lending capital, and potential federal stimulus dollars into a new statewide revolving loan fund for retrofits and expanded opportunities for green workforce development and job placement.

Green Jobs Green New York is the first multidimensional, mass-scale, statewide building energy efficiency plan for financing and recouping costs from energy efficiency audits and installations in a range of structures. The plan involves improving aspects of the existing state-run home audit program, initiating a new statewide revolving loan fund for retrofits, and introducing new green-focused workforce development across the state. Over the next five years, Green Jobs Green New York aims to retrofit at least 1 million buildings, reduce the energy consumption of participating households by 30−40 percent, save New Yorkers $1 billion annually in energy costs, and create an expected 14,000 new clean energy jobs.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/1030-arra-philadelphia?rssid=implementing+ARRA{6B816F0B-9997-4DE8-9003-9F6089BCAE94}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487271/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Metro-Philadelphia%e2%80%99s-Energy-Efficiency-Strategy-Promoting-Regionalism-to-Advance-RecoveryMetro Philadelphia’s Energy Efficiency Strategy: Promoting Regionalism to Advance Recovery

Bringing together the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the nonprofit Metropolitan Caucus, a new regional consortium there, is promoting a joint regional application for ARRA’s competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant dollars. Its four-part proposal, which will add and refine partners and programs over time, draws on the collaboration of multiple regional institutions to establish and operate a loan fund for green building and retrofits; support clean energy technology deployment; assist local governments with energy efficiency plans; and measure the energy performance of public facilities.

The newly created Metropolitan Caucus of southeastern Pennsylvania is leading the bold new regional energy efficiency strategy targeting for the competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Unprecedented for the region, the Metropolitan Caucus has brought together five area counties—Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia—to make the most of the stimulus opportunity by coordinating their plans, goals, and assets to achieve maximum regional benefit. Their proposed joint EECBG competitive application for roughly $35 million calls for financing construction and retrofits, supporting clean energy companies, measuring building energy performance, and assisting local governments in implementing various sustainability solutions. To carry out each of these activities, the caucus intends to engage in broad cross-sector collaboration to leverage the strengths and unique assets of regional educational institutions, key nonprofits, and planning agencies.

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]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Bringing together the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the nonprofit Metropolitan Caucus, a new regional consortium there, is promoting a joint regional application for ARRA’s competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant dollars. Its four-part proposal, which will add and refine partners and programs over time, draws on the collaboration of multiple regional institutions to establish and operate a loan fund for green building and retrofits; support clean energy technology deployment; assist local governments with energy efficiency plans; and measure the energy performance of public facilities.

The newly created Metropolitan Caucus of southeastern Pennsylvania is leading the bold new regional energy efficiency strategy targeting for the competitive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Unprecedented for the region, the Metropolitan Caucus has brought together five area counties—Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia—to make the most of the stimulus opportunity by coordinating their plans, goals, and assets to achieve maximum regional benefit. Their proposed joint EECBG competitive application for roughly $35 million calls for financing construction and retrofits, supporting clean energy companies, measuring building energy performance, and assisting local governments in implementing various sustainability solutions. To carry out each of these activities, the caucus intends to engage in broad cross-sector collaboration to leverage the strengths and unique assets of regional educational institutions, key nonprofits, and planning agencies.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-puget-sound?rssid=implementing+ARRA{2B98B477-4C7B-445A-9167-0F6BFF7BE4B3}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487272/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Puget-Sound%e2%80%99s-ARRA-Coordination-Facilitating-Regional-Stimulus-ApplicationsPuget Sound’s ARRA Coordination: Facilitating Regional Stimulus Applications

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is taking a lead role in helping the region successfully apply for ARRA competitive awards to maximize the flow of stimulus dollars into the region and support effective regional implementation. A series of new web-based tools, including a clearinghouse of competitive ARRA funding opportunities and regional project ideas, a blog, a message board, and an ARRA tutorial, facilitate information sharing and connections between disparate groups, while regular, formally-organized meetings between regional stakeholders encourage collaborative work on potential joint applications.

The Puget Sound Regional Council facilitates truly regional decision-making around ARRA opportunities. A regional body charged by state and federal laws to work on transportation, land use, and economic development issues for the four-county central Puget Sound area, PSRC is diligently acting on the notion that regionalism can be an important element in winning ARRA funds by creating new mechanisms to connect disparate local institutions around competitive grants available through the stimulus package.

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]]> Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is taking a lead role in helping the region successfully apply for ARRA competitive awards to maximize the flow of stimulus dollars into the region and support effective regional implementation. A series of new web-based tools, including a clearinghouse of competitive ARRA funding opportunities and regional project ideas, a blog, a message board, and an ARRA tutorial, facilitate information sharing and connections between disparate groups, while regular, formally-organized meetings between regional stakeholders encourage collaborative work on potential joint applications.

The Puget Sound Regional Council facilitates truly regional decision-making around ARRA opportunities. A regional body charged by state and federal laws to work on transportation, land use, and economic development issues for the four-county central Puget Sound area, PSRC is diligently acting on the notion that regionalism can be an important element in winning ARRA funds by creating new mechanisms to connect disparate local institutions around competitive grants available through the stimulus package.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/07/23-arra-puget-sound-energy?rssid=implementing+ARRA{8CCA5AEE-C83B-485F-A93A-5B5FD3498D9A}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487274/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Puget-Sound-New-Energy-Solutions-Scaling-Up-for-Regional-SustainabilityPuget Sound New Energy Solutions: Scaling Up for Regional Sustainability

To realize new opportunities for clean energy leadership—both through ARRA and other federal policies—Puget Sound leaders have established a new, multi-jurisdictional, multi-sector, and multi-focus collaborative partnership to advance innovative sustainability solutions for the region. Puget Sound New Energy Solutions coordinates regional stakeholders around their investments in energy efficiency, clean mobility, and smart grids to get the most out of stimulus formula allocations and be better positioned to win competitive grant awards now and in the future.

Puget Sound New Energy Solutions (PSNES) is a multi-jurisdictional effort—motivated by stimulus funding opportunities—designed to promote and support regional sustainability initiatives. A growing number of local governments across Puget Sound in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties— representing a regional concentration of residents, big businesses, buildings, and traffic flows—have been joining this consortium to coordinate work on retrofits, grid upgrades, and transport system modernization.

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]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

To realize new opportunities for clean energy leadership—both through ARRA and other federal policies—Puget Sound leaders have established a new, multi-jurisdictional, multi-sector, and multi-focus collaborative partnership to advance innovative sustainability solutions for the region. Puget Sound New Energy Solutions coordinates regional stakeholders around their investments in energy efficiency, clean mobility, and smart grids to get the most out of stimulus formula allocations and be better positioned to win competitive grant awards now and in the future.

Puget Sound New Energy Solutions (PSNES) is a multi-jurisdictional effort—motivated by stimulus funding opportunities—designed to promote and support regional sustainability initiatives. A growing number of local governments across Puget Sound in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties— representing a regional concentration of residents, big businesses, buildings, and traffic flows—have been joining this consortium to coordinate work on retrofits, grid upgrades, and transport system modernization.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/06/0723-arra-seattle?rssid=implementing+ARRA{6115C580-5744-418F-B399-0A6A12887757}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487276/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Seattle%e2%80%99s-Green-Building-Capital-Initiative-Partnering-for-Citywide-RetrofitsSeattle’s Green Building Capital Initiative: Partnering for Citywide Retrofits

Seattle is using a portion of its ARRA formula allocation for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBGs) to pilot new efforts to increase building energy efficiency. As a part of its Green Building Capital Initiative for the residential and commercial sectors, Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment will put ARRA funds to work providing home energy efficiency audits and retrofit financing, in partnership with regional utilities and area nonprofits.

Although launched as a part of stimulus implementation in April 2009, Seattle’s Green Building Capital Initiative is actually grounded in much earlier city plans initiated by Mayor Greg Nickels in early 2008 to improve building energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2020 and reduce energy costs for residents. A diverse 50-member Green Building Taskforce met pre-stimulus between July 2008 and January 2009 to discuss options for a citywide retrofit program.

ARRA resources provided Seattle with a ready opportunity to advance the residential component of these plans, and the city intends to invest $2 million of its total $6 million formula allocation of EECBG funding into this initiative, with the bulk of funding going towards energy performance audits, direct installation of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures (e.g., duct sealing, lighting upgrades, and low flow showerheads), and retrofits of existing, single-family and small multi-family residential buildings.

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]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Seattle is using a portion of its ARRA formula allocation for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBGs) to pilot new efforts to increase building energy efficiency. As a part of its Green Building Capital Initiative for the residential and commercial sectors, Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment will put ARRA funds to work providing home energy efficiency audits and retrofit financing, in partnership with regional utilities and area nonprofits.

Although launched as a part of stimulus implementation in April 2009, Seattle’s Green Building Capital Initiative is actually grounded in much earlier city plans initiated by Mayor Greg Nickels in early 2008 to improve building energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2020 and reduce energy costs for residents. A diverse 50-member Green Building Taskforce met pre-stimulus between July 2008 and January 2009 to discuss options for a citywide retrofit program.

ARRA resources provided Seattle with a ready opportunity to advance the residential component of these plans, and the city intends to invest $2 million of its total $6 million formula allocation of EECBG funding into this initiative, with the bulk of funding going towards energy performance audits, direct installation of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures (e.g., duct sealing, lighting upgrades, and low flow showerheads), and retrofits of existing, single-family and small multi-family residential buildings.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/06/0826-arra-dc?rssid=implementing+ARRA{D39B9EFB-B7FA-4B33-9AB6-F2FD7D53916C}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487277/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Washington-DC-Suburbs-Join-Together-for-NSP-Combining-Regional-Scale-and-Local-FlexibilityWashington D.C. Suburbs Join Together for NSP2: Combining Regional Scale and Local Flexibility

Six municipal and county governments in suburbs around Washington D.C. formed the Metropolitan Washington Area Consortium to collaboratively pursue ARRA’s funding opportunity for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments took the lead in developing the $33.9 million joint application. The proposal would combine a new, regional-scale revolving loan fund to help redevelop targeted foreclosed properties for affordable homeownership with local-level flexibility in operating homebuyer assistance programs and running initiatives to acquire and rehab select foreclosed properties as affordable rental units.

In response to ARRA’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2), six suburban jurisdictions of the metropolitan Washington D.C. region voluntarily came together as the Metropolitan Washington Area Consortium in late May 2009 to craft a joint application. Led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), the consortium consists of the cities of Alexandria, VA; Bowie, MD; and Gaithersburg, MD and the counties of Fairfax, VA; Prince George's, MD; and Prince William, VA. These six jurisdictions represent roughly half of the region’s foreclosures. Prince George’s and Prince William’s counties, in particular, suffer the most severe foreclosure crises in the region.

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]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

Six municipal and county governments in suburbs around Washington D.C. formed the Metropolitan Washington Area Consortium to collaboratively pursue ARRA’s funding opportunity for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments took the lead in developing the $33.9 million joint application. The proposal would combine a new, regional-scale revolving loan fund to help redevelop targeted foreclosed properties for affordable homeownership with local-level flexibility in operating homebuyer assistance programs and running initiatives to acquire and rehab select foreclosed properties as affordable rental units.

In response to ARRA’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2), six suburban jurisdictions of the metropolitan Washington D.C. region voluntarily came together as the Metropolitan Washington Area Consortium in late May 2009 to craft a joint application. Led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), the consortium consists of the cities of Alexandria, VA; Bowie, MD; and Gaithersburg, MD and the counties of Fairfax, VA; Prince George's, MD; and Prince William, VA. These six jurisdictions represent roughly half of the region’s foreclosures. Prince George’s and Prince William’s counties, in particular, suffer the most severe foreclosure crises in the region.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/06/0723-arra-dc?rssid=implementing+ARRA{B4008BDD-9508-4073-9776-6F31EE9C66DD}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487279/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Washington-Metropolitan-Area-Transit-Authority-Carefully-Prioritizes-Stimulus-Strategically-Selecting-ARRA-Transit-ProjectsWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Carefully Prioritizes Stimulus: Strategically Selecting ARRA Transit Projects

To ensure its one-time ARRA formula allocations would address short-term needs as well as support longer term goals, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority conducted a new agency-wide structured strategic capital planning process to select the most high-impact ready-to-go projects for stimulus funding. This strategic process started with identifying capital needs, refining agency goals through objectives and then prioritizing needs based on the objectives. This prioritization process will also serve as the agency’s new preferred framework for making future capital needs decisions.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selected projects for stimulus funding based on its long-run strategic capital needs. In September 2008, WMATA released a Capital Needs Inventory (CNI) of over $11 billion over ten years. Anticipating the federal stimulus package, WMATA identified which CNI projects were “shovel ready,” eligible for federal funding, and could not be implemented without additional funds. The resulting list totaled $530 million dollars in capital needs that met the criteria.

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]]> Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

To ensure its one-time ARRA formula allocations would address short-term needs as well as support longer term goals, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority conducted a new agency-wide structured strategic capital planning process to select the most high-impact ready-to-go projects for stimulus funding. This strategic process started with identifying capital needs, refining agency goals through objectives and then prioritizing needs based on the objectives. This prioritization process will also serve as the agency’s new preferred framework for making future capital needs decisions.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selected projects for stimulus funding based on its long-run strategic capital needs. In September 2008, WMATA released a Capital Needs Inventory (CNI) of over $11 billion over ten years. Anticipating the federal stimulus package, WMATA identified which CNI projects were “shovel ready,” eligible for federal funding, and could not be implemented without additional funds. The resulting list totaled $530 million dollars in capital needs that met the criteria.

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]]> http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/06/1030-arra-youngstown?rssid=implementing+ARRA{9BB01054-B936-4D45-9C65-4D56F94B696E}http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/65487280/0/brookingsrss/series/implementingarra~Youngstown-Region-Collaborates-on-NSP-Taking-a-Multijurisdictional-Approach-to-Recovery-PrioritiesYoungstown Region Collaborates on NSP2: Taking a Multi-jurisdictional Approach to Recovery Priorities

The NSP2 opportunity in ARRA motivated nine cities of the greater Youngstown area to submit one joint $32.4 million application to address the region’s challenges with foreclosures and vacant and abandoned properties. To stabilize and revitalize targeted neighborhood and produce long-running community and economic benefits, the shared plan proposes to enlist a cross-sector of different organizations to support a range of solutions, including regional land banking, targeted demolition/deconstruction, acquisition and rehab of single family homes, redevelopment of vacant land, and affordable financing for homebuyers.

The joint application submitted by Youngstown and eight neighboring cities for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) represents an unprecedented level of multi-jurisdictional collaboration for this region. While the nine cities—Lowellville, Struthers, Campbell, Youngtown, Girard, McDonald, Niles, Warren, and Newton Falls—had formed the Mahoning River Corridor Mayor’s Association in 2007 to share ideas, the new initiative is the first time that these jurisdictions have taken action in concert to pursue common goals for urban revitalization and redevelopment.

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]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400Mark Muro and Sarah Rahman

The NSP2 opportunity in ARRA motivated nine cities of the greater Youngstown area to submit one joint $32.4 million application to address the region’s challenges with foreclosures and vacant and abandoned properties. To stabilize and revitalize targeted neighborhood and produce long-running community and economic benefits, the shared plan proposes to enlist a cross-sector of different organizations to support a range of solutions, including regional land banking, targeted demolition/deconstruction, acquisition and rehab of single family homes, redevelopment of vacant land, and affordable financing for homebuyers.

The joint application submitted by Youngstown and eight neighboring cities for the second round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) represents an unprecedented level of multi-jurisdictional collaboration for this region. While the nine cities—Lowellville, Struthers, Campbell, Youngtown, Girard, McDonald, Niles, Warren, and Newton Falls—had formed the Mahoning River Corridor Mayor’s Association in 2007 to share ideas, the new initiative is the first time that these jurisdictions have taken action in concert to pursue common goals for urban revitalization and redevelopment.

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